Trump welcomes Xi to Washington as US and China extend trade truce

US President Donald Trump gave Chinese President Xi Jinping a ceremonial welcome at a Washington airport on Wednesday, featuring a military flyover and red carpet, as Xi began a three-day summit. The visit marks Xi's first trip to Washington since 2015. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the two nations agreed to extend their trade truce to January, building on a deal that lowered tariffs in exchange for China loosening rare earth mineral restrictions. The leaders are expected to discuss AI, Iran, Taiwan, and trade during closed-door meetings and a state dinner. Trump's personal airport greeting was the first by a US president since 1962, signaling the visit's importance. Xi stated both nations are "great nations," while a recent poll shows 41% of Americans view China's territorial ambitions as a threat, down from 52% in 2022.